Worried by recent attacks on churches and kidnap of priests in the country, Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom has called for religious freedom for all Nigerians.
Governor Ortom made the call in London while addressing Nigerians in Diaspora and friends of Nigeria at the Freedom of Religion and Belief FoRB, International Ministerial Fringe Events on Nigeria organized by Para-Mallam Peace Foundation and the International Peace-Building and Social Justice.
He decried the activities of terrorists in Nigeria saying the country is under siege and that bombing Churches and killing the clergy and worshippers was meant to send fear into the living to restrict their religious freedom.
He challenged Nigerians in The Diaspora to use the international environment with its free press to draw attention to problems in their country and speak against religious extremism in the country.
Ortom, who explained that the state was forced to enact the ‘Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017’ and other security measures to curtail insecurity, said President Muhammadu Buhari must be honest in political appointments and siting of development projects to reflect the nation’s diversity in addition to urgently addressing flagrant attacks on Christians on account of their faith.
He also urged PSJ UK, organizers of the events on Nigeria and other organizations with same objectives to use their voices to ensure that the Nigerian government lives up to its constitutional responsibilities of promoting and upholding Nigeria’s status in words and in actions.
Responding, a member of parliament, House of Lords, Baroness Caroline Cox, said the invitation to Governor Ortom to address such an important gathering was justified as his voice on topical issues in Nigeria had gained international recognition.
Cox, who plugged to ensure that education and healthcare were prioritized for those displaced, commended independent researchers and other public-spirited organizations who have taken the responsibility of unearthing the truth about happenings in Nigeria.
Cox gave the assurance that such reports will convince the British government to adopt policies that would help vulnerable people of Nigeria get international attention and justice at home.